Short Story Wednesday Review: This Old Star by Wayne D. Dundee

While this no longer seems to be available, I can remind you of the read in case you already have it in your TBR pile thanks to the magnificently massive archive here at Casa Tipple and Home Eatery Library.

 

The concept of duty or responsibility is often a major part of the western world as envisioned by Wayne D. Dundee and that is certainly the case here in This Old Star. For more years than he cares to count Jeb Stander was the sheriff of Flatrock Crossing, Nebraska. He isn’t the sheriff these days, but he still feels a duty to help out when the posse is out chasing Shake Whitley.

 

There was a jail break and bank robbery back in town and several of the good people of Flatrock Crossing joined up with the current sheriff, Ben Tembow, to give chase. Shake Whitley is a crafty devil which is why the law has been chasing him for one thing or another the last dozen years. The posse has been hard at work the last two days and don’t seem to getting anywhere. The weather has been nasty with rain and snow with no sign of the fugitive and the rest of the posse is just waiting for a reason to call it quits. Jeb offers to help and though Ben may not be thrilled with the prospect he isn’t about to publicly say no.

 

What follows is a complex story involving duty and responsibility in This Old Star. Like other very good westerns by this author, along with plenty of action there is an undercurrent about serious issues of the time that are just as valid today. Characters of complexity populate this author’s work where a single action may have multiple meanings. The 2010 Peacemaker Award winning short story recently released in e-book form, This Old Star is another very good one. 

 

Material was picked up to read and review using funds in my Amazon Associate account. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015, 2023

Review: "This Old Star" by Wayne D. Dundee

The concept of duty or responsibility is often a major part of the western world as envisioned by Wayne D. Dundee and that is certainly the case here in This Old Star. For more years than he cares to count Jeb Stander was the sheriff of Flatrock Crossing, Nebraska. He isn’t the sheriff these days, but he still feels a duty to help out when the posse is out chasing Shake Whitley.

There was a jail break and bank robbery back in town and several of the good people of Flatrock Crossing joined up with the current sheriff, Ben Tembow, to give chase. Shake Whitley is a crafty devil which is why the law has been chasing him for one thing or another the last dozen years. The posse has been hard at work the last two days and don’t seem to getting anywhere. The weather has been nasty with rain and snow with no sign of the fugitive and the rest of the posse is just waiting for a reason to call it quits. Jeb offers to help and though Ben may not be thrilled with the prospect he isn’t about to publicly say no.

What follows is a complex story involving duty and responsibility in This Old Star. Like other very good westerns by this author, along with plenty of action there is an undercurrent about serious issues of the time that are just as valid today. Characters of complexity populate this author’s work where a single action may have multiple meanings. The 2010 Peacemaker Award winning short story recently released in e-book form, This Old Star is another very good one. 

This Old Star

Wayne D. Dundee

http://www.fromdundeesdesk.blogspot.com

Western Trail Blazer

http://www.westerntrailblazer.com

January 2015

ASIN: B00RPQ5PLQ

E-Book

46 Pages

$0.99

Material was picked up to read and review using funds in my Amazon Associate account.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015

Western Novella Review: "O'Doul" by Wayne D. Dundee

These days O’Doul is working on a ranch located near Pitchfork Creek. Both he and a young guy named Leonard Fain work for ranch owner Joe Reichert. The recent tragedy in the family has made Joe a bitter man. So much so he might be abusing his wife, Annie.  Young Leonard is not only a bit of

a hot head; he has developed feelings for Mrs. Reichert. That is certainly not a good thing since she is married and all. In fact, it is an easy way to get dead if Joe Reichert picks up on it. There is a good chance of that considering the fact that Leonard is not the subtle type.

Along with calming down and understanding his place as a ranch hand, O’Doul counsels Leonard to get his mind on other matters. But, despite his efforts, Leonard isn’t listening that well as things between husband and wife clearly begins to escalate. O’Doul has a worsening problem of his own as things intensify meaning O’Doul has his work cut out for him if he wants to help.

O’Doul is a complicated novella western from Wayne D. Dundee and another good tale from this talented author. Though the premise is simple enough the author makes it work by adding character details, a twist or two with a definite time deadline cranking up the suspense, and other storytelling elements to take the work far from its common premise beginnings. Complicated and realistic characters drive events in a tale that is part western and part Greek tragedy. Much is at work here on many levels making O’Doul a really good one. 

O’Doul

Wayne D. Dundee

http://www.fromdundeesdesk.blogspot.com

Western Trail Blazer

http://westerntrailblazer.com/

January 2015

ASIN: B00RPQ5OVW

E-Book

37 Pages

$0.99

Material was either purchased via funds in my Amazon Associate account to read and review or it was picked up during one of the author’s free read promotions. I have no idea which it was now and Amazon does not indicate which as both situations are treated as a “verified purchase.”

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015

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